Because of this no one has ever seen the toys at play, and the only reason I am allowed to tell you what they did is because I promised not to look. They told me about it afterward--just how it all happened--and that’s why I may put it in a book. But as for looking myself at the toys as they play, or letting any one else look--never! I wouldn’t dream of it! “Am I going too fast for you?” politely asked the White Rocking Horse of the Sawdust Doll, as he rode her on his back. “Oh, not at all,” she answered. “I like it.” “That’s good,” he replied. “Oh, look at the Monkey, will you?” he called. “Isn’t he funny?” said the Sawdust Doll. “Do you know, he’ll make some little boy or girl laugh, I’m sure of it!” “Yes, he’ll be a nice Christmas toy for some one,” answered the Horse. “But I would like to stay here among my toy friends a little longer,” said the Sawdust Doll. “Yes, it is nice here,” said the Calico Clown, as he softly banged his cymbals. “Say, let’s have a little party!” he went on. “It is getting close to Christmas now. Some of us are sure to be bought and taken away. Some of us may never see the others again. We ought to celebrate in some way.” “That’s what I say!” came from the Candy Rabbit. “Of course, I’m not so likely to go until near Easter time. But you never can tell. Let’s have a party, I say,” and the Candy Rabbit wiggled his ears. “A good idea!” bleated the Lamb on Wheels. “What shall we do?” “We could play tag!” said the Monkey on a Stick. “You can beat us all at that,” remarked the Sawdust Doll. “You jump around so I never can tag you.” “I’ll go slowly this time,” promised the Monkey. “Come on--let’s have a game of tag!” “Or hide-and-go-seek!” said the Calico Clown. “I know a dandy place to hide,” he whispered to the Candy Rabbit. “There’s a hole in the counter near the Jack-in-the-Box, and he won’t tell where we are.” “Is there room for me?” asked the Candy Rabbit. “Plenty,” answered the Calico Clown. “Come on!” The Sawdust Doll was just getting off the White Rocking Horse to join in the fun when, all at once, the Candy Rabbit cried: “Oh, some one is coming! Some one is coming! Quiet, everybody! Don’t move!” And as each and every toy stiffened out, to look as unlifelike as possible, a scratching, squeaking noise was heard all through Toy Town. CHAPTER II JUST WAITING “Dear me! What is it? What can it be?” whispered the Sawdust Doll to the White Rocking Horse. “Hush! Quiet! Don’t say a word,” the Horse whispered back. “If it’s the watchman, or any people coming back after something they have forgotten, they must never know that we can move about and have fun when they aren’t looking.” “Oh, no! Of course not!” agreed the Sawdust Doll, in a whisper, and then she sat very quietly on the back of the Rocking Horse, for she had no chance, so suddenly had the alarming noise sounded, to get back to her place on the toy counter.